Here are two questions for you to think about…followed by a true story that led to these questions.
#1 When you think about your own aging body, what is one part of your body that is changing faster than you’d like it to?
#2 What is one thing you like about getting older?
Ok, now for my true story:
I’m 38 years young. And I’m pretty cool with that. But listen to this. David (my 8yr old son) and I went to Waffle House for dinner this evening, and on the way into the restaurant a woman (whom I would soon find out was 58 years old) was a few steps ahead of us and got to the main door first. She opened the door and then motioned for me to go first while she held it open. I felt bad because I was the guy, and thought she should get to go first. Plus, her family had already gone in, and I wanted to give her a chance to catch up to them — so I motioned for her to go and went to reach above her with my long arms to hold the door for her. She then sorta body blocked my reach (lol) and insisted that I go first. And to make the moment even more comical, she then makes the comment, “I have respect for my elders” (meaning she thought I was older than her so she should hold the door for me). She then follows behind us into the restaurant, and at this point must have started to second guess herself a little because she kind of chuckled, but yet in a serious tone proceeded to say,”I dunno, you might actually be younger than me. I’m 58, how old are you?”. At first I thought she must be kidding. I mean I’m 38, she’s 58, this is all a joke right? But after reevaluating her tone and seeing her facial expression, I truly believe she was serious! I didn’t end up telling her my age though (because I think I was embarrassed for us both at this point), but in response to her question I smiled and said something like, “yeah, I’m younger than 58”.
As I now sit in front of my computer, in the comfort of my home, I’m still having trouble processing all of this — how did she mistake me for being more than 20 years older than I actually am? Maybe it should be said that I was due for a shave and a haircut, so as far as bodily hair goes (lol), I was probably looking a couple years older than if I was all cleaned up (I gave myself a shave and haircut when I got home though lol). And it also should be said that my dad turned grey when he was pretty young, and I seem to be following way too closely in his footsteps, which I struggle with, because although I’ve had women compliment me on the whole salt and pepper thing, personally, I’d rather be much lighter on the salt, and much heavier on the pepper!…because I’m starting to feel self-conscious about it making me look older than I really am, and I don’t want to look older than I really am…especially because physically, I feel younger than I am! Need help getting that frisbee down that’s stuck on top of your 3rd floor roof?? I’m your man!! I’ll climb your tree, then jump like a squirrel and scale up the side of your brick house…grab the frisbee, then slide down the gutter and be back and ready for more before you can say “Wowwww, my hero!” (ok, I made all that up, but you get what I’m trying to say…I feel young inside!). And I’m slowly starting to accept that I look older on the outside than I feel on the inside, BuT not over 20 years older like this woman suggested at the Waffle House this evening! I’m not ready to be 20 years older!
This is me as a 58yr old Waffle. Did you notice my salt&pepper hair?
So now the story comes to an end and finishes where we started!
When you think about your own aging body, what is one part of your body that is changing faster than you’d like it to?
(for me it would be my graying hair!)
And, on a brighter note, what is one thing you like about getting older?
(for me it would be having Waffle House doors held open for me! Ha!)
Responses are welcome below. Thanks!
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Eric,
I enjoyed your post/questions. First let me say, having been madly in love with a man with salt & pepper hair, that it can be very sexy. That being said, however, I certainly hope you are not heading for a mid-life crisis – definitely NOT sexy.
Interesting that you would choose to ask which part of the aging body is changing faster vs. the changing mind – but maybe that will be a future post :-)
For me, the part of my aging body that is changing faster than I’d like is my dimples/smile. Once upon a time, I had very sweet dimples that shown brightly whenever I smiled. Time has turned these dimples from cute little buttons to deep furrowed lines. The result is a less “happy” expression than in my youth, and dare I say an older one. But it hasn’t really gotten me too down. Because the flip side is, that I like to think that I have smiled SO much in my lifetime, that these “grooves” have been worn by all the happy memories that put them there to begin with :-)
On to your next question. What I like about getting older is the confidence/freedom to continue having fun and doing things that I like to do without worrying about my age. While this may mystify my kids, there is something cool about doing what I like to do without worrying about how it might appear to others. Imagine the crazy lady with the red lipstick (that I would’ve NEVER worn in my youth) dancing to techno in the grocery store parking lot while her kids look on in horror and you’ll understand. I’m anxious to see what others have to say.
Sue, I’m so glad you enjoyed the post, and I thank you for your wonderful thoughts and contributions! Your reply filled me with confidence that in spite of my quickly graying hair, I can still remain the babe magnet I’ve always been (hahaha! don’t i wish!)…and also helped me to take a step back from that very unattractive mid-life crisis you referenced! Phew!, I don’t wanna go there! I have enough on my plate already, the last thing I need is a mid-life crisis to deal with!! And your “groovy” dimples! — what a BEAUTIFUL trophy to have Sue. Thank you for your inspirational perspective proving that even as our bodies change, our changes can be looked at as something to be proud of — a SIGN of a life well lived that should be worn with pride. Happy for you! And keep on makin those grooves!…and keep on keepin your kids guessing! (Loved your red-lipped dancing story!). Thanks for sharing your brilliance Sue! Shine on! EricV
Hopefully, my view will encourage you. I’ve never understood Americans’ despair over aging. It makes no sense. We’re born, we grow older, we die; it’s so silly to fight something that is a natural life process. When people mistake me for being younger, I do not take it as a compliment. As a soon-to-be 50 year old woman, I want to be credited with every single year I’ve lived! I’ve had a very blessed life, with many challenges and stresses; I don’t like the thought of being cheated out of any of my experiences and wisdom. Why would I want to be taken for 10 or 15 years younger?
Look at it this way: if you are 40, but want to look like you’re 30, then what will you want to look like when you’re 50? Forty? Then why in the world didn’t you just enjoy looking 40 when you WERE 40?
Anyway, my answer to your first question is my eyesight. Answer to the second question ties in with my original encouragement: the wisdom and mellowness that comes with age are pricess.
Oops. *priceless* :)